Valve means for spraying devices



Jan. 17, 1950 FIG. 1;.

C. F. BOE VALVE MEANS FR SPRAYING DEVICES Filed Nov. 13, 1945 O ff/f; Nl

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l direction in the flow of the Patented Jan. 17, 1950 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE 2,494,793 VALVE MEANS FOB SPRAYING DEVICES Carsten F. Boe,Wooddale, Del. Application November 13, 1945, Serial No. 627,994 6Claims. (Cl. 222-394) The present invention relates to the art ofdispensing liquids, and particularly to an improved apparatus foratomizing and spraying liquids from containers in which they aremaintained under gaseous pressure. The liquids to be sprayed may be ofthe general nature of insecticides, waxes, oils, perfumes, polishingliquids, glues, lac quers and paints, or liquid masses or finely groundsolids in suspension in liquid, such as talc, pigments and the like. Thegaseous pressure within the container for discharging the contentsthereof may be obtained in any way. For example, the container may beillled under pressure, or the pressure may result from evaporation of aportion o! the contents of the container, by the reaction of gasproduced chemically or frcrnfthe discharge of a compressed gascartridge.

It is usual to provide atomizers or sprayers for discharging liquidsunder pressure with a gastight valve closure so that after the desiredamount of the contents of the atomizer have been used the spraying maybe discontinued and the atomizer re-sealed for subsequent use. Two typesof valves have been proposed for forming a gas-tight seal at thedischarge end of the atomizer. One is a pivoted type valve in which asealing pad is held in contact with the outside of the nozzle throughwhich the liquid is sprayed by the pressure of a spring against apivoted arm which carries the pad. The sealing power of such valvesdepends on the force exerted by the spring on the pivoted arm; and sincesuch arms normally are exposed, there is constant danger of accidentaldischarge by contact with the pivoted arm. The other type oi valve is ofthe internal type in which the seal is effected by the pressure of thecontents, sometimes assisted by a spring which forces the valve againsta valve seat usually consisting of some soft sealing material. This typeof valve, because of its construction, requires a change of dischargingliquid after it has passed through the valve aperture, therebydecreasing the nozzle velocity or reducing the possible effectiveatomization of the liquid. Moreover, this type of valve, being composedof many parts. is comparatively expensive to manufacture. Lockingdevices for this type of valve generally necessitate either additionalmachining of the parts or separate locking means. Both types of valvesrequire an essentially soit sealing material which in time tends todecompose and freeze or adhere parts of the valve, thereby Bunting theuseful period of the sprayer.

It has been proposed to provide atomizers or sprayers with cooperatingrotative parts, the

parts being so constructed and arranged that in one position aperturesin the parts are brought into alignment to provide a discharge passage.while in other positions the apertures are out of alignment so thatdischarge through them cannot take place. However, as far as I am aware,valves of this type which heretofore have been proposed have not beenentirely satisfactory from a commercial standpoint because they wereexpensive and diilicult to manufacture, did not provide a suillcientlygas-tight seal, or otherwise did not properly perform their intendedfunction.

' The present invention relates to a valve of the last-mentioned typewhich is suillciently inexpensive to manufacture that it may be used oncontainers for spraying insecticides or other relatively inexpensivematerials, but which will at all times maintain a gas-tight seal so thatloss of pressure within the container does not result.

More specically, the present invention comprises an atomizer or sprayingcontainer having a non-corrosive, gas-tight valve which is inexpensiveto manufacture, simple to operate and which, when in open position,provides an uninterrupted passage for the discharge of thc contents ofthe container. To that end, a rotatable cap is mounted on the dischargeend of the container and carries the discharge nozzle and a valve memberhaving a passage therethrough in alignment with such nozzle. The end ofthe container on which the rotatable cap is mounted is provided with adischarge opening. The passage in the valve member and the dischargeopening in the end of the container are eccentrically positionedrelative to the axis of the container and the cap to the same extent, sothat rotation of the cap relative to the container will cause suchpassage and discharge opening to be brought into or out of alignment, asdesired. A sealing layer of cellulose material having cell walls whichcollapse and crumble when under pressure, giving practically noexpansion sidewise, and having good elasticity and ability to regain itsoriginal volume, such as cork, is interposed between the valve membermounted on the cap and the portion of the container having the dischargeopening with which the aperture in that valve member is adapted toregister.

Inorder that the seal between the rotatable valve member carried by thecap and the portion of the container having the discharge opening, whichserves as a cooperating valve member, may be maintained gas-tight at alltimes, those parts constantly are urged towards each other, against theintervening layer of cork, 'by an annular leaf 3 spring, the outer edgeoi which is supported in any appropriate manner from the container.

The invention will be further described in con= nection with theaccompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that such furtheramplica tion is by way oi exemplication and the invention is not limitedthereto, except to the extent set forth in the appended claims.

hi the drawings Fig. is a vertical sectional view of an atomizingcontainer embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view or the upper end of the atomizingcontainer showing the ii proved valve structure and Fig. 3 is asectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modified form of valvestructure.

Referring to the drawings, the atomizing or spraying container comprisesa cylindrical body i, a bottom 2, and top t which tapers upwardly to anupstanding neck portion it having a planar top 5. The atomiaing orspraying container preferably is formed of sheet material of any kind,such as iron, which is tinned or otherwise treated to cause it to resistcorrosion.

A feed tube@ has its upper end secured within the neck portion by meansof a ierrule l attached thereto and spun or otherwise secured within theneck portion. The feed tube t is of such length as to entend to thebottom of the container so that all of the contents of the container maybe discharged therethrough.

A combined operating cap and guard member of substantially hemisphericalshape is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the container. Thecentral part of the cap il is formed with a, depressed portion as shownat t. The bottom of the depressed portion Q carries a valve block orbody i which is rotatable with the cap. The lower face of the valve bodyii is roughened as at i2 and has glued, cemented or otherwise securedthereto a gasket or cork or other resilient material i3 which gives noexpansion sidewise. The gasket i3 bears against the planar top surface Eor" the neck i to form a gas-tight seal therewith. The valve body Iiiand the gasket i3 are provided with aligned passages it and I5, locatedeccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation oi the cap upon theupper end of the container. The passage i5 communicates with anexpansion chamber [Iii in the valve body II. The outer end oftheexpansion chamber it is closed by a discharge nozzle il having adischarge orice it. The discharge nozzle i'I protrudes only slightlybeyond the outer surface of the valve body ii so that it lieshorizontally within the depression 9. Thus the portion of the capsurrounding the depression serves to protect the nozzle against contactwith objects and protects the nozzle against damage.

A ferrule i9 has its iower end rounded into a groove 22 formedexteriorly in the neck 4 so that the ferrule is rotatively mounted onthe neck 4, but held against axial movement with respect thereto. Theouter end 23 of the ferrule is ilanged over slightly and overlies theouter periphery of an annular leaf spring 24. The inner periphery of theleaf spring 24 bears against a shoulder 25 formed on the outerperipheral portion of the valve body i I, near the bottom thereof. Thus,the spring 24 constantly is constrained to exert a down force on thevalve body I I which causes the gasket I3 to bear against and form agas-tight joint with the planar top portion 5 of the neck E.

The planar top portion 5 oi the neck li is pro- 4 vided with an aperture28. The aperture 2B is eccentrically positioned, relative to the axis ofrotation of the cap 8, to the same extent as are the passages i4 and I5.Thus, rotative movement of the cap in the container will cause thepassages I4 and i5 to be brought into alignment with the aperture 26 topermit discharge oi the contents of 'the container, or cause thepassages it and i5 to be moved to a non-aligning position relative tothe aperture 26 to prevent discharge of such contents.

The edge defining the aperature at the outer face of the planar top 5,where it contacts the cork gasket, is rounded to prevent cutting of theing of the outer edge defining the aperture also facilitates expansion othe cork in an axial direction into the outer portion of the apertureand assists in maintaining a gas-tight joint or seal between the gasketand the top 5.

instead oi providing a separate annular leaf spring 2li, as shown inFig. 2, a ferrule I9, shown in Fig. 3, may be formed of spring materialand have its outer flanged end 23' extend inwardly a distance suicientto bear against the shoulder 25 formed on the valve body I I and therebyexert suihcient pressure on the valve body I I to maintain the corkgasket i3 in gas-tight relationship with the top 5.

The Ichamber i6 and the space within the nozzie il provide ample spacewithin which initial atomization of the contents of the container maytake place prior te eiection through discharge orice I8.

To operate the apparatus above described, it is only necessary to rotatethe cap 8 and valve body ii mounted thereon sufficiently to bring thepassages i5 and I5 into alignment with the aperture 2E. llihe liquidwithin the container then is forced by the gas pressure within thecontainer upwardly through the feed tube 5, through the aligned aperture26 and passages I4 and I5 into the expansion chamber I6, where initialatomization takes place. The partially atomized liquid then isdischarged through the discharge orice i8 with resultant furtherexpansion and still greater atcmization of the contents. When it isdesired to discontinue the spraying of the liquid from the container, itis only necessary to 0 rotate the cap E and valve body II so that thepassages I5 and I6 are in a non-aligning position with respect to theaperture 26, whereupon the gasket I 3 forms a gas-tight seal until it isagain desired to spray liquid from the container.

I claim:

1. A dispensing device comprising a container for liquids, one wall or"said container having a discharge aperture therein, a valve memberrotatively mounted on said wall of the container,

@o said valve member having a passage therethrough,

said aperture and said passage being so positioned; relatively, in saidwall and said valve member that they may be brought into and out ofalignment by rotative movement of the valve member relative to saidwall, a ierrule connected to the container and extending therefrom andsurrounding the wall having the discharge aperture therein and saidvalve member, and an annular leaf spring between the outer portion ofsaid ferrule and said valve member, said spring exerting a force againstthe valve member in a direction to urge it toward said wall of thecontainer.

2. A dispensing device comprising a container for liquids, one wall ofsaid container having a gasket upon rotation of the parts. Such round-`discharge aperture therein, a valve member ro.

tatively mounted on said wall of the container and having a shoulderformed on a peripheral portion thereof, said valve member having apassage therethrough, said aperture and said passage being sopositioned, relatively, in said wall and said valve member that they maybe brought into and out of alignment by rotative movement of the valvemember relative to said wall, a ferrule connected to the container andextending therefrom and surrounding the wall having the discharge aaperture therein and said valve member, said ferrule having aninwardly-extending flange at the outer end thereof, an annular leafspring interposed between said iiange and the shoulder on the peripheralportion of the valve member, said spring urgingsaid valve member towardsaid wall of the container.

3. A dispensing device comprising a container for liquids, saidcontainer having a neck portion extending from one end thereof, theouter end of said neck portion being closed except for a dischargeaperture, a valve member rotatively mounted relative to said neckportion, said valve member having a passage therethrough, said apertureand said passage being so positioned, relatively, that they may bebrought into and out of alignment by rotative movement of the valvemember relative to said neck portion, and a ferrule of resilient springmaterial connected to said neck portion and extending coaxiallytherewith and outwardly therebeyond in the direction -of said valvemember, the outer end of said ferrule being bent inwardly over a portionof the valve member and bearing against the latter to urge it in adirection, to cause it to bear against the closed end of said neckportion. l

4. A dispensing device comprising a container for-liquids, a neckportion extending from one end of said container, the outer end of saidneck portionbeing closed except for a discharge aperture, a valve memberrotatively mounted relative to said neck portion, said valve memberhaving a shoulder formed on the peripheral portion thereof, said valvemember having a passage therethrough, said aperture and said being sopositioned, relatively, in the closed end of the neck portion and insaid valve member that they may be brought into and out oi' alignment byrotative movement of the valve member relative to said neck portion, aferrule of resilient spring material connected to said neck portion andextending coaxially therewith and outwardly therebeyond in the directionof said valve member, the outer end oi said ferrule having aninwardly-extending flange bearing upon said'shoulder of the valve memberand urging said valve member toward the closed end oi said neck por'- uo4 n. 5. A dispensing device comprising a container for liquids, a neckportion extending from said container and having a wall thereof formedwith a discharge aperture, said wall having a smooth outer surface, andthe edge portion of the aperture therein which joins the smooth outersurface beingf rounded, a valve member rotatively mounted on said smoothouter surface of the wall of the neck, a gasket interposed between theadj acent faces of said wall and the valve member and rotative with thevalve member, and spring means operative on the valve member to urge thegasket against the outer wall of the neck portion adjacent the openingtherein, said valve member and said gasket having aligned passagesthrough them, said aperture in said wall of the neck and the passages inthe valve member and the gasket being so positioned, relatively, thatthey may be brought into and out of alignment by rotative movement ofthe valve member and gasket relative to said wall.

6. A dispensing device comprising a container V for liquids, a neckportion extending from said container and having a wall Ythereof formedwith a discharge aperture, said wall having a smooth outer surface, andthe edge portion of the aperture therein which joins the smooth outersurface being rounded, a valve member rotatively v mounted on saidsmooth outer surface of the wall of the neck, a gasket interposedbetween the adjacent faces of said wall and the valve member androtative with the valve member, said valve member and said gasket havingaligned passages through them, said aperture in said wall of the neckand the passages in the valve member and the gasket being so positioned,relatively, that they may be brought into and out of alignment byrotative movement of the valve member and gasket relative to said wall,a ferrule connected to said neck portion and extending coaxiallytherewith outwardly therebeyond in the direction of said valve member,and spring means interposed between the outwardly-extending portion oi'said ferrule and the valve member and exerting its force against thevalve member in a direction to urge said valve member towards said wallof the neck portion.

-CARSTEN F. BOE.

vREFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 886,832 Perkins May 5, 190e1,320,932 Schmidt Nov. 4, 1910 1,367,612 Peppers Aug; 16, 1921 1,956,764Johnston i- May i, 1934 2,055,076 Grant Sept. 22, 1936 2,092,137 PunteSept. 7, 1937 2,206,209 Thorn July 2, 1940 2,376,404 Thome May 22, 1946

